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Sensational spring for Victoria

Malaguerra completed a sensational spring carnival for the Victorian breeding industry in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) on Saturday.

His final-day victory at Flemington was the sixth Group 1 for the VOBIS State compared to just Jameka’s solo score in the VRC Oaks last year.

Jockey Ben Melham, who won the same race aboard Victorian icon Black Caviar in 2010, believes Malaguerra has been underrated until now. “I’ve got a lot of faith in the horse and I just know how well he can gallop. I came here as confident as you could be going into a Group 1 and he didn’t let me down.”

Malaguerra is a son of Sun Stud stallion Magnus and was bred by at Sandown Lodge by Lyn Armanasco and John Dickson. He was foaled and reared at Ballarto Lodge in Pakenham and sold through its draft for $32,000 at the 2013 VOBIS Gold Sale.

He’s the last of 9 winners from Tennesse Morn (Bletchingly) and her second at stakes level following G3 Ottawa Stakes winner Tennessee Midnight (Danehill). The latter is the dam of Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Aloha (Encosta De Lago).

Malaguerra has now won 11 times in 21 starts for $1.43 million in prizemoney for owner Bruno Micalizzi. Importantly, the Darley Classic was his first for new trainer Peter Gelagotis. The Moe mentor took over from Lee & Anthony Freedman after winning the Group 1 BTC Classic in May.

“He’s an amazing horse,” Gelagotis declared. “It’s a trainer’s dream and I’m grateful for the opportunity. The horse was already proven when he came to me. And all I wanted to do was maintain that form.”

Magnus (Flying Spur) has sired 12 individual stakes winners and he is challenging for a top-spot on the Victorian sires’ premiership for 2016-17. Reset ($1.93 million) leads the way from Written Tycoon ($1.85m) and Magnus ($1.61m) with daylight to Street Boss ($771k).